Communications Authority of Kenya has imposed a Sh1 million penalty on Homeboyz Radio following derogatory comments about women made on March 25 on its morning show the Lift-Off.
CAK has also imposed a six-month suspension on the show until the station demonstrates compliance with the statutory requirements.
The Authority has also directed the station staff be trained and sensitised on Gender issues as well as Programming Code.
Homeboyz Radio has also been asked to publish an apology to the masses in two newspapers with nationwide circulation and air the same during prime time for the next five days.
The station has also been requested to review its editorial policy and align it with law on gender requirements.
Finally, CAK directed that the station ensures all its presenters are accredited by MCK.
Press Statement By @CADirectorGen @WanjauMercy on @HomeboyzRadio Breakfast Show’s Violation Of Programming Requirements @ktikolo @ngenegituku @christo88737931 @lillyonyando @MoICTKenya @MediaCouncilK @citizentvkenya @NationAfrica @StandardKenya @KBCChannel1 @TheStarBreaking pic.twitter.com/t1t5tlc3Fk — CA@20 (@CA_Kenya) March 28, 2021
Radio Africa Group, parent company to Homeboyz, terminated the services of its breakfast team over the alleged Gender-based violence utterances.
The team comprises veteran radio presenter Shaffie Weru, alongside his co-host Neville Musya and a popular Disc-jockey Joseph Munoru alias Dj Joe Mfalme.
In a statement dated March 27, the media house states that the decision was reached after a comprehensive review of the comments made on the station’s Thursday morning show, adding that the topic in discussion was neither approved nor authorised by the management.
According to the statement, the company had established that the conduct of the three constituted gross misconduct leading to a breach of the company’s editorial policy.
Thus, the three have been relieved of their duties.
Further, the Media Council of Kenya on Sunday morning lauded the move by the local media station after its management ran apologies and retracted the statement in its subsequent radio shows and eventually terminated the services of the trio.
“In line with the enforcement process, the MCK issued a notice demanding retraction and apology for violation of clauses 21, 23 and 24 of the journalism code of conduct, that speak to use of pictures and names, acts of violence and editor’s responsibility’’ read a part of the statement by the Media Council of Kenya.
The decision comes hours after the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) said on Saturday that it was pausing advertising on programs associated with the presenters in support of investigations into disparaging remarks made by the three on morning drive show, 'The Lift-Off'.
In a statement, EABL said that it expressed its dismay to Radio Africa Group (RAG), which controls Homeboys Radio, about the conduct of the presenters, who made remarks that implied to support acts of gender violence on women.
“Beginning Thursday, March 26, EABL paused all forms of advertising on all programmes related to these presenters. As a precondition to revert to our advertising partners, we have asked RAG to conduct due diligence in the selection of presenters and embed a robust consequence management plan on those that do not abide by the code of conduct. We have also asked RAG to ensure a continuous training programme for presenters to be sensitized on gender matters and commit to airing that will address negative gender narratives,” read EABL’s statement in part.
Trouble ensued for the trio when a video recording of them making insensitive sentiments on the plight of Eunice Wangari Wakimbi, who was pushed off the 12th floor of a building by a man she met on Facebook surfaced online stirring anger among Kenyan netizens and activists.
